Involves both long and short term community planning, including specific projects such as Waterfront Development, Cross-Lake Muskegon-Milwaukee Ferry, Downtown Revitalization, Shoreline Drive Extension, Bike Path/Trail, Historic Preservation, Getty Street Improvements and specialized studies such as Heritage Village. This section is responsible for the constant oversight of the Master Plan and regularly updates community vision and goals.

Implements the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations, growth management, and site-specific designs. This involves regular contact with the general public on a daily basis. Furthermore, it involves environmental inspection, processing of applications for variance, special use permits, site plan reviews, and other development issues. This section is also responsible for the administration of the groundwater ordinance, regulation of flood plain areas, and the development and management of computerized maps.

Economic Development

The economic development initiative has the goal of strengthening the economic vitality of the City. This section develops marketing strategies, facilitates business creation and retention, communicates with existing businesses, promotes certification of industrial sites, and assists the redevelopment of brownfields. They also work with programs such as the Smartzone, Renaissance Zone, Capital Improvement Grants, and Foreign Trade Zones.